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Canada Demands Flotilla Abuse Probe

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney demanded an independent investigation into Israel’s treatment of Gaza flotilla activists, calling the handling of detained civilians, including Canadian citizens, “appalling” and “unacceptable.”

Ontario, Canada, 2023

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney demanded an independent investigation into Israel’s treatment of Gaza flotilla activists, calling the handling of detained civilians, including Canadian citizens, “appalling” and “unacceptable.”

Carney made the comments Monday in a call with President Isaac Herzog, according to a statement from his office. He also described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic” and reiterated Canada’s opposition to Israeli settlement expansion, settler violence in Judea and Samaria and violence against Palestinian civilians.

The statement marks another sign of deepening tensions between Ottawa and Jerusalem following Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound flotilla. Canada had already criticized Israel’s handling of the activists last week, but Monday’s statement broadened the condemnation.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said separately that she spoke with Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar and told him Ottawa would provide Israel with evidence of alleged mistreatment of Canadian citizens detained aboard the flotilla.

“I raised that denying Canadian citizens access to consular services while they were detained violates the Vienna Convention and must never happen again,” Anand wrote on X.

Flotilla organizers have alleged that released activists were abused while in Israeli custody, with several hospitalized and some reporting sexual assault. Israel’s prison service has denied the claims.

Sa’ar said he told Anand that the flotilla activists had been inspired by Hamas. He also raised what he called a “horrific antisemitic wave” in Canada, saying there were an average of 19 incidents a day and urging Ottawa to act against antisemitic incitement and attacks.

Israel’s ambassador to Canada said last week that government-to-government relations between the two countries were at their lowest point ever.
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